New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-20

The Interstate Commerce bill came before
the House yesterday, but did not receive fond
welcome. Objections were Immediately
raised that the clause relating to long and short
hauls and several other points were indefinite.
1t is not worth while to speculate on the fate
of this measure at this moment; but many
conservative men will hope that possibly the
House will have wisdom enough to reject q
bill which must be construed by the courts be-
fore Its meaning is made clear.
The Senate Committee Foreign Affairs
has made digni6ed and able report on the
fisheries question. 1t finds that it is the DELHI
crate intention OF Great Britain TO allow petty
officers and magistrates in Dominion ports to
annoy American shipping, and that recent leg
isiation IN Canada has been plainly in violation
OF the Treaty of 1918. and of principles of
comfy and good peighborhood. A bill author
ling the President to proclaim retaliatOry
measures was also introduced. 1t will be noted
that the result of the House Committees in
yestigation was much the same. Surely all
this ought to stiffen the backbone of this DEM
ocratic Administration, and encourage it to
sonnet hing moro than mild remOnstrarce.
No more important subject can come before
the Board of Education than the safety of
school buildings. Yet three Commissioners
yesterday, by Directing, prevented the consid-
Grafton of contract to put new boiler in the
grammar school at Grove and Hudson sts The
present boiler there is so poor that the trustees
have resolved to dismiss the pupils until it is
safe for them to enter the place. 1t seems also
that the walls of this building are badly
cracked. Instead of postponing discussion of
this matter. therefore. the Board, if possible,
ought to hold . specia. meeting to allow the
building to be put in proper condition.
The increased number of accidents on the
elevated roads of late can hardly be due to
careless management. The directors probably
do not want to kill people. nor does it appear
that they are afraid to spend money to secure
the public safety. The great trouble seems to
be that the service of the road is overtaxed
Trains run on the briefest possibl intervals, so
that the chance of safety depends more and more
upon the intelligent faithfulness of the engi-
neers and trainmen. This will surely fail Oc-
casionally. as 1t did yesterday. and week ago
Yesterday, and o terrible crash follows. Hap.
pily little harm has been done by any of these
occurrences, but such good fortune cannot
last. Travel on the elevated roads must
be relieved by increased rapid tranat facilities
and this will never DO accomplished until ar
Underground road is built Meanwhile, it IL
painfully eyidesA that riding on the elevated
roads 10 not 20 safe rs 1t once was.
4 II tie peace Of Europe depends upon thu
Increase Of the German army in accordance
with the plan laid down BY Bismarck, 1t may
now be assumed that war has bseu definitely
postponed. The Imperial Rsichstag remained
obstinate. bnt the Prussisn Parliament hal
assured the King that his military needs as
Emperor shall b. Supplied. II his indiv dual
Kingdom has 70 pay the bill. This 10 q
psssistie dseiarstion, but observers viii watch
1itA suu3esiy Ger IT. sfksot. Uill TIE eitissna